BREAKING: Pittman, others challenge election in court

May 18, 2013

Ward 5 Selectman Jasper Pittman has officially filed a motion in court, challenging the May 7, 2013 municipal elections in West Point.
News station WCBI out of Columbus broke the story this evening that Pittman, along with Chiketa Young, Larry Stevenson, Kiara Lane and Annie Cattledge had filed two motions.
The first challenges the May 7, win of West Point business owner Gary Dedeauz over Pittman in the Ward 5 race, alleging that the election was not handled properly.
Pittman's challenge suggests that Sections 2 and 5 of the Voting Rights Act were violated when the West Point Election Commission handled the election, stating that Thomas B. Storey Jr. authorized the body to do so without such authority.
The second petition requests the courts to grant an injunction upon the upcoming May 21 runoff between Ward 3 incumbent Charles Collins and Jimmy Clark.
Pittman and the four others filing are represented by Colom Law Firm out of the Columbus.
This story came to light after the deadline for Sunday's paper. Keep folowing the DTL online and Tuesday's paper for more details.

Commentary: Jasper Pittman raised many eyebrows this week when he made a motion at Tuesday's Board of Selectmen meeting, asking the city to retain an attorney (namely the Colom Law Firm) to see if there were irregularities with the May 7 election.
This elicited a harsh response from myself, Daily Times Leader Managing Editor Bryan Davis. I want to say kudos to Pittman for hearing the overwhelming voice of the people in this matter by obtaining legal council from the Colom law firm himself, rather than on the taxpayer's dime.
You have every right to challenge the results of the May 7 election, and we wish you the best of luck in this and any future endeavors.